Support as Traditional Owners join fight to stop destruction of the NSW North West from mining and extraction of coal seam gas
A broad range of farmers and community members concerned about the impacts of new mining and coal seam gas proposals across NSW North West are expressing their support for the Gomeroi Native Title claimants in their recent stance to halt all mining in the region.
The Gomeroi Native Title claimants are the latest group to publicly oppose coal seam gas in the North West, joining a range of farmers, town residents, conservationists and Church Ministers in the battle.
“I have the greatest respect for the stand made by the Gomeroi people, working to make sure this magnificent land remains healthy and capable of supporting humans, and also fauna and flora,” said Tambar Springs farmer David Quince.
“The Gomeroi Native Claimants provide a timely reminder to us all to hold reverence to the environment which we and future generations must safeguard,” he said.
“I am delighted to support the stand of the Gomeroi people,” said Anne Kennedy of Coonamble and representative of the North West Alliance.
“In our area, Wun-Gali representatives have resolved to declare a moratorium on all coal seam gas activities on their traditional lands and in the Coonamble Shire until such time as it is proven that CSG activities will not have a detrimental effect on the Great Artesian Basin.”
“We need to ensure our water resources are protected and stop the North West from becoming an industrial gasland. We are all deeply concerned and will continue to work together to protect this region, its cultural heritage and our water supply,” she said.
“Gomeroi people join and strengthen the chorus of voices that want to see a pause on mining and coal seam gas activities in the North West,” said Naomi Hogan of the Wilderness Society.
“There are so many good reasons why mining development needs to slow down, to ensure the community is having a say over the future of the land, and to ensure public health and clean water is being put first.”
“The coal seam gas drilling catastrophe in the Pilliga forest, along with the growing open cut coal destruction in the Leard Forest has fuelled growing concerns for the future of the region if mining continues unabated.”
The Gomeroi calls to halt mining come as hundreds formally object to a proposed Santos coal seam gas workers camp for Gunnedah and over half a million hectares of the Liverpool Plains have been declared gas field free by community vote.
Contact:
David Quince, Tambar Springs farmer, 0427 442 382
Anne Kennedy, Coonamble, North West Alliance, 0429 023 007
Naomi Hogan, The Wilderness Society, 0401 650 411
To find out more about the Gomeroi Native Title stand, contact Michael Anderson, 0427 292 492,
Or see: http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/native-title-claimants-want-to-ba...
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Naomi Hogan
Campaign Manager
The Wilderness Society Newcastle Inc
Tel: (02) 4929 4395, Mobile: 0401 650 411
Email: naomi.hogan@wilderness.org.au
http://www.wilderness.org.au/new-south-wales
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"A Native Title challenge to mining and csg"
16/05/2013 ABC New England North West
Four hundred Gomeroi people gathered in Tamworth over the weekend to consider the next step in their Native Title Application over the North West.
The applicants believe it has the potential to change the game when it comes to mining in the region and set a precedent right around the state, possibly Australia.
The applicants say Native Title has never been determined over water, and they want this to be tested.
We spoke to Michael Anderson, one of the 19 native title applicants from the Gomeroi people and the last surviving member of original Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra.
http://blogs.abc.net.au/nsw/2013/05/a-native-title-challenge-to-mining-a...